WhatsApp to end support for older Android versions in 2026
via Business News1 min read
Recent reports suggesting WhatsApp will become inaccessible on Android are misleading. WhatsApp will not cease operations on Android entirely, but will discontinue support for very old versions of the operating system. Specifically, starting September 8, 2026, WhatsApp will no longer function on smartphones running Android versions older than 6.0. This change will primarily affect users with devices still operating on Android 5.0 or 5.1, which represent a very small segment of the current Android market. The majority of Android users, who have devices running Android 6.0 or newer and the latest app version, will not be impacted. Affected users will receive an in-app alert and are advised to back up their chats, either via Google Drive or local storage, before the deadline. This measure is specific to Android devices and does not affect iOS users.
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Tunisia's national digital platform, Najda.tn, designed for heart attack patient care, has shown encouraging results after one year of operation. Cardiologist Salem Abdessalem, a key figure in the project, reported that the platform, developed over three years under the Ministry of Health with cardiology and emergency medicine associations, aims to streamline and digitize care for myocardial infarction patients, significantly reducing intervention times. Before Najda.tn, only 30% of patients received angioplasty, the standard treatment, while 30% received less effective medication, and nearly 40% received no adequate care, despite an increase in catheterization labs from 30 to 50 units in a decade. Dr. Abdessalem emphasized that the issue was not equipment but organization and time. Najda.tn ensures an electrocardiogram within ten minutes for patients admitted with chest pain. Medical data is immediately integrated, alerting SAMU teams and specialized centers for direct transfer to a catheterization lab. Over 3,000 patients have been managed through the platform, with angioplasty access rising to nearly 90% from 20-30%. Medication-only treatment dropped to 8%, and patients without care became marginal at 3-4%. While intervention times average four hours, with a two-hour target, progress is considered substantial. The platform, developed by Tunisian experts, will be enhanced through international partnerships, with future plans including AI integration for diagnosis and ECG in
Must ReadThe Tunisian General Labour Union UGTT expressed deep concern on Monday, April 27, 2026, following a court decision to freeze the activities of the Tunisian Human Rights League LTDH for one month. The UGTT described this measure as an attack on the freedom of associative action and a dangerous precedent that could weaken a major achievement for Tunisians in defending rights and freedoms. The union highlighted the LTDH's historical role in protecting fundamental rights, assisting victims of violations, and promoting human rights culture. The UGTT believes this decision represents a step backward from national commitments to respect freedom of organization and expression, warning that targeting civil society components, particularly human rights organizations, risks increasing tensions and undermining the foundations of the rule of law. The UGTT called for the decision to freeze LTDH's activities to be reversed, allowing the organization to resume its work normally, and expressed full solidarity with the LTDH. The union also emphasized the need to ensure a secure environment for civil society actors, deeming it essential for the proper functioning of democratic life. This stance comes after the LTDH itself denounced the decision on Sunday, April 26, 2026, as "unjust and arbitrary," taken based on an order issued by the president of the Tunis Court of First Instance. The LTDH's national council, meeting urgently, considered this measure an infringement on freedom of association
Tunisia's President Kaïs Saïed dismissed the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy in a statement released at 4:39 AM on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The dismissal was announced at the end of a lengthy statement that covered social considerations, political denunciations, and lyrical passages, without providing an explicit reason for the decision. The unexpected timing of the dismissal has raised questions, especially as it occurred just before Parliament was set to examine a presidential bill on photovoltaic concessions, a topic that has already drawn significant criticism. This has led to speculation that the minister may have been removed to absorb political responsibility for the controversy. The announcement followed a meeting with the Head of Government, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Social Affairs, and the Minister of Employment, which focused on implementing Article 15 of the 2026 finance law. This article concerns salary increases in the public and private sectors, as well as pension increases for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The President affirmed that the Tunisian state is committed to its social policy and to combating "pockets of reaction, betrayal, and corruption." He also instructed the finalization of a platform for recruiting long-term unemployed individuals based on "equity and justice." The statement also criticized the administration, citing "abnormal situations" due to recruitment based on loyalty rather than legal frameworks. The President stated that
University lecturer and analyst Tarek Kahlaoui criticized the lack of debate surrounding draft laws on photovoltaic power plants, which are scheduled for parliamentary review. In a publication on Monday, April 27, 2026, Kahlaoui stated that he has been following this issue "since its inception" and regrets that only "a small handful" of stakeholders have paid attention to these projects, despite their significance. He highlighted the work of four key players: the Association for Energy Democracy, in conjunction with members of the General Electricity Federation; the Tunisian Organization for Clean Energies STEP, which has developed a white paper; former members of the parliamentary energy commission; and the Tunisian Economic Observatory, which produced what he considers "the most important analytical study" on the projects. Kahlaoui expressed regret that these organizations were not included in parliamentary discussions, noting their contributions were "rejected or ignored" at a recent meeting where only official representatives and project-favorable deputies were heard. He also criticized the authorities' silence regarding reservations from the General Electricity Federation, arguing that "ignoring criticism does not reflect the strength of arguments, but more likely their weakness." Kahlaoui emphasized that these projects, which are crucial for the country's energy future, require a calm public debate based on scientific data and field analyses. He warned against any attem